Thursday, April 19, 2018

Blog Tour and Giveaway: The Burnheart Redemption by Chelsea Curran

About the Book

Sixteen-year-old Adam Garrow ran away when he learned the truth about his father and his inheritance. After six long years away from his family’s estate, Adam returns to make amends with his parents and help his brother, Phillip, grow into his role as head of the estate. Before he even makes it to the door, a chance meeting with one Solana Rosenlund–his intend from before his self-imposed exile-sparks a fire in his heart that will not be quenched. But before they truly get a chance to explore their feelings for each other, Adam is devastated when ahead injury results in Solana forgetting that they had ever met.

Things only get worse when Phillip’s business venture to Morocco is commandeered by pirates. Adam and his friend Ian O’Connor leave England to rescue Phillip, and in doing so discover a sinister plot that threatens the Garrow estate and all those they left at home. Through conspiracy, sabotage, and kidnapping, can all three men survive what fate has thrown at them and find their way back to the women they love?

About the Author

Chelsea Curran lives in the desert valley of Arizona. Though secretly a romantic, she used to spend most of her time brooding over the idea of love until her college roommates (now best friends) introduced her to the exciting and fantastic world of romance novels. When she’s not teaching, dancing, painting, laughing or baking cookies, she’s in her blanket fort giggling over the handsome hero capturing the fair lady’s heart. And no matter how old she gets, that will never change.

Countless authors have inspired to her to write stories for those who seek the same ideas that brought her comfort, joy and hope for the future. By experience, she believes one good book can change a person’s life forever.

Author Interview

1. Who or what inspired you to become an author?
I was inspired to become an author during college when I first fell in love with contemporary romance novels. After witnessing many relationships fall apart in my life, I sought the philosophies of my favorite authors to help me figure out what mine were. When I began to have my own relationship experiences, I discovered I had a lot to stay about it. And I loved the idea of reaching out to someone like myself who would feel comfort and joy in the things I wrote.2. Who are some of your favorite authors?
My list of favorite authors is endless, but to name a few are Anita Stansfield, Diana Gabaldon, Brandon Sanderson, Marissa Meyer, and Marcia Lynn McClure.

3. If you could go to tea with one of the characters from The Burnheart Redemption, who would you pick and why?
If I could go to tea with any of my characters from The Burnheart Redemption, it would definitely be Adam Garrow. Not only is he incredibly handsome, but he has a fascinating background with dozens of stories to tell, a great sense of humor, and a natural charm that would make for the best tea time conversation.

4. What inspired the idea for The Burnheart Redemption?
What first inspired The Burnheart Redemption was me and my two college roommates spending an Saturday relaxing and laughing the day away. That afternoon I had listened to the “Tangled” soundtrack, and the song “Kingdom Dance” had came on. Immediately I imagined the three of us in a regency setting dancing at a fancy ball with three dashing heroes of that time. Just for fun, I wrote a short story version for them that progressed into a full novel. And I will forever thank them for that inspiration and encouragement on that project.5. What do you want readers to take away from reading The Burnheart Redemption?
I would love for my readers to know that the heroes in this story are based on very real men I’ve come to know in my life, who understand the meaning of respect, humility, chivalry, and sacrifice. To those readers, I hope they will take those examples I’ve written down to heart and remember that they deserve someone who also show those qualities. And of course I would hope that these fictional heroes will make them feel just as giddy as they made me.

6. What is your current WIP? What can you tell us about it?
My current work in progress is a romantic comedy taking place at a Renaissance festival. The outline is still in the beginning stages, but it’s fun getting back into the contemporary genre and writing down all my ridiculous and amazing experiences I’ve gathered in the recent years. So expect some swoon-worthy knights in shining armor, and everything turning upside down when a metropolitan girl gets pulled into the world of medieval culture. This one is definitely dedicated to all my nerd friends who’ve made my life so much better after pulling me into their fandoms.

Behind the Scenes Facts About the Book

1. I started writing “The Burnheart Redemption” at nineteen years old. It became the first book I ever completed, and tried to publish.
2. The story took me six years to write, mainly because my writing skills were still developing, and I knew very little about romance. Growing up a little, I gained more perspective and wrote a much better version of the story that I’m proud of.
3. My main character, Adam Garrow, is based on a very real man I had a huge crush on at the time. But after six years, all three of my leading men have taken on traits of chivalrous men I’ve met throughout the years, and the book is mostly dedicated to them.
4. The story is based on a short story I wrote for my friends in college as we were all in love with pure romance novels. They also inspired characters in the book.
5. While editing the manuscript, I asked my attractive guy friends to dress as my characters and act out a few of the scenes. They even let me take their photos and publish them on my site. But this helped tremendously in better describing scenes that needed more visual detail.
6. I chose my romantic settings to be an apple orchard because it was where I always pictured my first kiss to be growing. Turns out my first kiss never came close to it, but still fun to write about.
7. When I first decided to give Ian O’Connor Irish origins, it had to do with my friend insisting I’d find a tall, dark and handsome man with an Irish accent to sweep me off my feet. So if not in real life, definitely vicariously through my imagination.
8. Solana Rosenlund is the leading heroine of the story, who has a younger sister name Faye. Though she’s a side character, she’s who I can identify with the most. Whereas Solana is who I’d wish more to be like as far as spirit and bravery goes.
9. Fun fact: The guy who dressed as Adam and took picture for the character profile on my website, I was actually dating at the time. During the editing process, a day before the submission deadline, I was no where near finished and stressed out of my mind. In my moment of need, he heroically rush over with a chocolate smoothie. After a much need hug and swoon-worthy kiss, I was inspired enough to crank out twenty more pages and hit “submit” just in time. Definitely one of my fondest memories.

Snippet

Slowly, her senses began to disappear one by one. First, her sight. Then sound, and then feeling. Though the taste of smoke lingered on her tongue, all she could comprehend was the sound of cries in the distance.

Then she felt two strong arms carry her away from the nightmare she fell into. She was weightless and at peace. Then all at once, her breath returned.

Her senses followed too quickly, but what stood out the most was pain. She opened her eyes and was not surprised at all to see who rescued her.

“Thank the Lord,” Adam said, pulling her tightly against his chest.

She gasped for air again, and he helped her to lean forward, relieving some of the pressure off her lungs.

“Adam!” a voice called. His brown eyes moved from hers to the distance. Then, gently, he laid her back down, pulling himself up.

“Don’t leave me,” she said, her voice hoarse and barely a whisper.

He hesitated, returning to his knees. Although her vision was dimmed, she could still make out the relieved look in his eyes.

He pulled her up so she rested against his side. Taking a deep breath, despite the smoke, she could smell the tangy citrus of oranges on his clothes. It was comforting. It smelled like home during the springtime.

“Adam!” someone screamed again, more desperately this time.

“We’re here!” he called back.

The sky was getting darker by the minute from the black stacks of smoke in the air.

The firelight’s glow became more prominent and cast a silhouette on a figure that hurried into view.

“She’s alive,” Adam said.

The other voiced cursed. “What happened to you?” She was also waiting for an explanation, but he ignored the question.

“We need to get her out of here, Phillip” he said.

She felt him shift his arms underneath her shoulders and legs.

“Wait,” Phillip said.

“We can’t wait! Now please help me.”

“Your hand, Adam! You’re burned.”

“I’m fine,” he said, but the coughing fit that followed contradicted what he said.

“She needs to be attended to first.”

“I will take her. Get to the stream and cool your skin.”

Without answering, Adam struggled to his feet with her still in his arms. She heard him grunt as her weight was transferred into another set of arms.

“Make sure she’s safe,” he ordered.

Those were the last words Solana heard until her senses dulled into dim voices and rough movements. Eventually it grew more difficult to separate reality from her dreams. And through all the fog, she attempted to hold onto the vision of the strange man holding the torch. She tried her best to hold onto it, fighting to stay conscious so she could tell someone what she saw. But like the rest of the world, the vision had slipped away, and she finally closed her eyes in blissful sleep.

Review

The Burnheart Redemption is a pretty good well written, and quick read. I enjoyed the characters, Adam, Solana, Ian and Phillip. The story has action, suspense and mystery, which is what I love to read. I was captivated until the end.

It is obvious the author has great talent and I hope to read more by her in the future. I give The Burnheart Redemption 4 1/2 stars. Recommended for those who love a good, clean book.

I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

Giveaway

Tour Wide Giveaway

Blog Stop Giveaway

Comment on this blog for a chance to win an e-copy of The Burnheart Redemption.

Blog Stop Giveaway Instructions:

There will be a guaranteed e-book giveaway at each blog stop. Readers enter the giveaway by commenting on your blog. Please keep track of those commenting on your blog post. At the end of the tour, please select your winner(s). After you contact your winner, please email me their information and I will forward their information to the author/publisher to recieve their prize. Thank you!